Good lighting in a space is about more than being able to see. It creates a mood, gives your place a sense of warmth, and if done right, some serious aesthetic advantages. Yet lighting is often an element of home design that gets overlooked in favor of furniture and wall hangings, but very unfairly so. Whether you're trying to improve task lighting or give your home that warm, enviable glow here are some tips and advice you can follow.
Figure out what mood you want to create. You may not be able to quite pinpoint what gives a room a certain feel, but a big part of it may be lighting. Determine whether you want your space to be super bright and light or if you want to go for a more cozy, low-light feel. There's no wrong answer, but make sure you choose what's right for you.
Determine how you use your space. Before you can begin to create the right lighting for your space, you need to decide what the right lighting is for you. How you use your space will go a long way in determining what is the right kind of lighting. For instance, in your office, you may want bright lights that will let you read documents and complete intricate tasks without straining your eyes. In the bedroom, however, you'll likely want lamps that can be dimmed or used to direct light for pre-bedtime reading.
Don't forget the bulbs! Lighting isn't just about fixtures and lamps. In fact, a lot of that "ambiance" comes from the type of bulbs you choose. Lower wattages will give you a warmer feeling, but won't provide as much bright light for work or reading. Bright lights, when used right, can make a space feel clean and modern. You may even want to invest in bulbs that have dimming options.
Layer it. Is one light enough to light up a room? Sure. But for truly great lighting in a space, no matter how big or small, layered lighting will almost always look better. This can mean having both ceiling lights and lamps, or several lamps of varying heights around the room, or both.
Use lamps as more than light sources. Lamps don't just have to be the star of a room at night. Choose those with attractive shapes and colors that complement your overall decor. When done right, lamps can act as sculptural elements in the room, adding a bit of visual interest or a pop of color just where you need it.
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